542 FISHES. 



none. A short anteiior dorsal, the second extending to the end 

 of the tail, and the anal being of similar length. Ventrals com- 

 posed of several rays. Bones soft and flexible. 



This is one of the discoveries made during the expedition 

 of the " Challenger." The single specimen obtained is of a 

 deep-bhick colour, and was dredged up at a depth of 1975 

 fathoms in the Antarctic Ocean. 



Merluccius. — Body elongate, covered with very small scales. 

 A separate caudal ; two dorsal fins and one anal ; ventrals well 

 developed, composed of seven rays. Teeth in the jaws and on 

 the vomer rather strong, in double or triple series. No barbel. 



Two species are known of this genus, widely separated in 

 their distribution. The European species, M. vulgaris, the 

 " Hake," is found on both sides of the Atlantic, and grows to 

 a length of four feet. It is caught in great numbers, and 

 preserved as " Stock-fish." The second species M. gayi, is 

 common in the Straits of Magelha3n and on the coast of 

 Chili, less so in New Zealand. 



The vertebral column of this genus shows a singular modi- 

 fication of the apophyses. The neural spines of all the 

 abdominal vertebras are extremely strong, dilated, wedged into 

 one another. The parapophyses of the third to sixth verte- 

 brae are slender, styliform, whilst those of all the following 

 abdominal vertebree are very long and broad, convex on the 

 upper and concave on the lower surface ; the two or three 

 anterior pairs are, as it were, inflated. The whole forms 

 a strong roof for the air-bladder, reminding us of a simi- 

 lar structure in Kurt us. 



PSEUDOPHYCIS. — Body of moderate length, covered with rather 

 small scales. A separate caudal, two dorsals, and one anal ; ven- 

 tral fins very narrow and styliform, but composed of several rays. 

 Jaws with a band of small teeth ; vomer and palatines toothless. 

 Chin with a barbel. 



Two species, of which Ps. hachus is common on the coast 

 of New Zealand. 



